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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. MORROlV, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND EDVIN BENNETT.

BATH FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 17,666, dated April 14, 1857.

To all whom it may concern: y

Be it known that I, JOHN H. Monnow, of the city of Baltimore and State of Haryland, assignor in full to John H. Morrow and Edwin Bennett, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented, made, and used certain new and useful Improvements in Immersing-Baths for Photographic Purposes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view o f the bath complete. Fig. 2 is a sectional view tanken through the length of the bath. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the bath. Fig. 4 is a view of the top or lid inverted. Fig. 5 is a view of the fork, or plate lifting device.

The nature of my improvement consists of constructing a photographic, chemical immersing bath of vitrified noncorrosive material and formed with a solution reservoir a, a, c, a, and a secondary, or drip chamber Z), l), b, l), the top of which is a double incline 52, 52, from right and left inwardly, and the inclinations meeting together, and terminating in an opening or flow vent or, drip hole Z13, a diaphragm wall b4, 54 an out-let or drain spout c. This mode of construction forming a compound, double chambered vessel, Fig. l, the drip chamber 5, Z), being sulficiently narrower than the main chamber or reservoir a, a, to afford groove formations, or dovetail gutters (Z, d, on each side, longitudinally, and into which fit suitable supports, or bracket like devices c, e, e, c, e, e, of any suitable material, wood however being the cheapest, and best. These rests are nearly of a triangular shape, so as to admit of inclining the bath at a convenient angle. These rests or brackets,

' are sustained by a hooked rod, f, f, f, which enables the bath to be steadily supported in proper position.

In connection with said features of improvement, I also use a forked, and hook suspension, lifting, and dipping device or tablet holder g, g, g, g, g, of vitrefied, glassy material, of convenient length and size, the lower end having two prongs g2, g2, with their ends turned or hooked as at 7L, h, and the handle or holding part having a spur or ridge formation z' at a suitable distance from the hooked ends, so as not to permit their touching the bottom of the reservoir or iininersing chamber as shown in Fig. Q. The bath is also provided with a top or covering, Fig. 4L, having a flange or rim j, y', j, j, either formed to fit into, or over the mouth or top of the bath.

There have been numerous chemical immeising baths employed, and composed of gutta-percha, glass, and other materials. but in all the forms of construction heretofore known and used many objections and great difficulties have been encountered. In the use of gutta percha baths, it has been found that. the acids and solutions used, decoinpose the material to a certain extent and cause a dirty black coating over the interior of the bath, rendering the use thereof very uncleanly. Besides too, when nitrate of silver solutions is used, it attaches itself to the inner surface of the bath, in form of incrustations which when detached carry with them more or less of the gutta percha substance, which tend to spot and stain the photographic plate or tablet immersed, thereby rendering the impression defective, and in many instances useless.

Again where baths have been employed of other material, .it has been found that the action of the chemicals used corrodes more or less the surface of the bath, and rendering the bath unfit for use. Then again, all immersing baths heretofore employed in the photographing process, have required separate and distinct receptacles for retaining or receiving the dripping solution, the use of such distinct receptacles requiring additional care, and eXtra handling and being very inconvenient.; but by employing a bath constructed after my plan, these several great objections are entirely overcome, for having the bath made of a plastic composition, and vitrefled by heat, in a peculiar manner, renders the surface of my baths anti-corrosive, so that the incrustations or chemical deposits, can not penetrate the pores of the material, and be absorbed, but such deposit, can be most readily detached by the least possible concussion against. the body of the bath, and thus the solution does not so rapidly deteriorate or become eX- hausted. Besides, the incrustations do not imbibe any foreign, or injurious matter.

Again too, in using my compound or double chambered bath, the operation of immersing the plate or tablet, is done With much more cleanliness, and greater facility, for the drippings of the solution, instead of being liable to drop off onto the shelves or tables, or surrounding articles, is caught, and received by the double inclined surface b2, b2 and is deposited Within the secondary or drip chamber b, b, b, b, Where the solution is accumulated, and kept free of all foreign matter, and can be drawn off through the outlet or drain spout c, Fig. 2, formed on the side of drip chamber and used over again. Thus affording advantages that are not attainable by any immersing bath heretofore used.

Another most important feature of utility and advantage, is the rise of the suspension, forked dipper device or tablet holder g, g, gl: for instead of being liable to touch the bottom of the bath, and thereby agitate or stir up any sediment, the plate, or tablet Zr, 7c, lo, is sustained and kept from the bottom, by the hooks 7L Which do not come in contact With the bottom of the bath, owing to the tablet holder being suspended by the spur, or ridge formation z', Fig. 2.

My improved, compound or double chambered immersing bath, can be made of any required size and can be sold at a most reasonable, moderate rate, and being made of noncorrosive material can be used for an indefinite period of time, and Will be found more available and useful under every variety of circumstances incidental to the photographic art, than any bath heretofore employed, Whether for cheapness, cleanliness, durability, economy, or general utility.

Having described and shown the peculiar form of construction, and set forth the many advantages attending the use of my improved immersing bath, and being Well aware that baths for photographic purposes have been made, of glass, and earthen Ware, and disclaiming the invention of chemical immersing baths,l What I do claim however, aad desire t0 have secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. The improved form, of constructing, or compound or double chambered immersing bath, having 'an immersion chamber, a, a, a. and a dripping receptacle Z1, Z9, Z), formed with slopes, or inclined upper surfaces Z22, b3, Z22, as described.

2. I also claim the suspension, forked dipper device or tablet holder formed With the spur or ridge I as shown and described.

3. I also claim the brackets or rests e, e, e,

in combination With the immersing bath a, a, a,-Z), b, Z), as set forth.

JOHN H. MORROVV.

Witnesses:

ELEAYAR F. PERKINS, JOHN Morris. 

